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Tutor isn't sorry for using 'vulgar' language

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Popular tutor Karson Oten Fan Karno has told a court that he is not sorry for giving his students notes that allegedly contain 'vulgar' language because the words used are the products of cultural development.

The tutor, better known as K Oten, is being sued by King's Glory Education Centre for HK$10 million in damages for breach of a 2003 contract.

Mr Fan, who was challenged by a lawyer in the Court of First Instance yesterday over the use of improper language, said he felt he was 'contributing to society' when he distributed to his students five pages of notes in colloquial Chinese criticising a colleague for having allegedly copied his notes. Jason Pao, SC, acting for King's Glory, asked Mr Fan if he thought it was proper for an English teacher to distribute such notes.

Mr Fan replied: 'I think your interpretation of teaching is too narrow. Education is not limited to getting a pass in an examination ... but also the respect of morality of a person, and culture.'

Asked by Mr Pao if he thought it was what students and parents expected from a teacher, Mr Fan replied: 'There are many different types of students in Hong Kong ... If I can use a similar language to theirs to make them become more interested in tutorials and studies, then I think I am contributing to society.'

The court heard that in October 2005, King's Glory issued a warning letter to Mr Fan. The warning stemmed from a complaint made to the Education and Manpower Bureau concerning an advertisement by the tutor.

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